New Sounds/ Swagger (Neptuna Records)
by Kevin Amorim, Jan 25th 2002

Don't let the cowboy hat on Nancy Atlas' head completely fool you. To dig up that old Donny and Marie song, this Stephen Talkhouse regular is a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. The 11 song "Swagger" plays out with the self-confidence it's title suggests; these East Enders come out with their six guns ablaze on "Shot my Wad" and the poppy "Symphonies and Serenades," which really should be on the radio. Atlas, whose voice sounds at times like a young Melissa Etheridge, is backed by her Project: four lads of journeyman quality who also keep their leading lady strutting.